Hey Reader,

For a long time, I believed mixing was something you do after finishing your track. You know—the part where you "fix" things.

But every time I compared my tracks to professional releases, it was frustrating.

My low end felt weak, the vocals got buried, and the top end was way too harsh.

No matter what I tried, my mixes just didn’t hold up.

Turns out, that mindset was the problem.

Once I started mixing while producing, everything changed.

Here’s what that looks like:

Every time I add a new sound, I ask myself:

• Is this sound a lead or a background layer?
• Is it clashing with something else in the same frequency range?
• Does it need a little boost to shine or a little cut to get out of the way?

And I make small, intentional moves.

Each channel starts with:

• An EQ to cut or enhance what matters
• A Utility for volume and stereo width

No 15-plugin-chains.
Just smart, early decisions that add up.

Later in the production process, I group my sounds into buses like “Drums” or “Low End” and treat them as one.

That’s where the bigger mixing steps happen.

For example:
​Are my drums too loose? → I use the Glue Compressor:

• Attack: 1ms (to keep the transient punchy)
• Fast release
• Just a few dB of gain reduction

This glues my samples together and makes them feel snappy and solid.
​

Do my drums need more grit? → I add a Saturator with:

• Medium curve
• 20–40% Dry/Wet

That brings character and warmth without overcooking them.

Those two moves alone changed how my drums feel in the mix.

Then comes depth.
​Not every sound gets reverb. But the right ones do.

My go-to move for space and glue:

Clap + Hat → both get the same Short Hall Reverb (around 500ms)

Why? So they sit in the same “room” and sound naturally connected.

Vocals -> I use return tracks with different

• Reverb layer
• Delay layer

This lets the main vocal stay clean and upfront while the space wraps around it.
It’s subtle—but powerful.
​
​(If you want a full breakdown of my vocal mixing process, just reply to this email.)

Why am I sharing this? I recently got an email from a reader:

That line stuck with me. Because I’ve been there.

And I know how frustrating it feels when your track doesn’t sound like it should—even though you’ve spent hours working on it.

That email inspired this issue.

So now I’d love to hear from you:

👉 Where do you get stuck in your production process?

Reply to this email and let me know.
I might build the next newsletter around your question, too.

Stay Productive,
- LEMAN

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